Issue # 042 of ENDURO Magazine is no ordinary issue for us. It marks the beginning of a new era in mountain biking. We’ve seen how the disc brake, suspension fork and the dropper seat post changed the face of mounatin biking, and now, the next big innovation is here.
This revolution takes the form of the Specialized Levo SL – a completely new trail bike with a motor. To dismiss it as a conventional eMTB would not do the bike justice. You can read in detail why this is the case in this issue. But of course, there’s also much more to discover! We compared the most exciting trail bikes of 2020, visited the guys from Banana Industries, tested the brand new Privateer 161, the MDE DAMPER 29 and the Canyon Neuron CF SLX and had a conversation with Markus Flossmann, the managing director of YT Industries.
The highlights
- Real all-rounders – 15 trail bikes compared
- Privateer 161 tested: All Killer, No Filler!
- Get out of the cage – an interview with Markus Flossmann
- Factory Tour: we visit the guys from Banana Industries
- Dream trails in Spain: on the road in the Sierra Nevada
The latest issue is available now in our free magazine app. If you haven’t installed our app yet, now’s your chance to download it for free in the App Store (iPhone / iPad) or in the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets).
Our free, digital magazine is the centrepiece of our work and definitely the best way to experience our content, with interactive features as well as beautiful photography and videos all packed into a unique design. If you like our website, we’re sure you’ll love our magazine app. By the way: the app even gives you access to all of our back issues – hours upon hours of first-class content!
All the bikes in this issue:
Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 | Canyon Neuron CF SLX | Canyon Spectral CFR 9.0 SL | Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 | Ibis Ripmo AXS | MDE DAMPER 29 | Nukeproof Reactor 290C RS | Norco Optic C1 | Orbea Occam M-LTD | Privateer 161 | Radon Slide Trail 10 | Santa Cruz Hightower CC X01 Reserve | SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned AXS | Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon | Specialized S-WORKS Stumjumper SRAM AXS | Trek Fuel EX Project One AXS | Yeti SB130 TLR | YT JEFFSY CF Pro
What to expect in this issue
Trail bikes are the undisputed all-rounders of the bike industry. In this group test, we review 15 of the most exciting models of the season. Alongside our Best in Test and best buyers tips, we also discovered what is probably the biggest revolution in the mountain bike segment for 2020!
YT Industries, currently one of the world’s most popular bike brands, commands you to “Live Uncaged.” We rode bikes, drank beer and lifted weights with founder and CEO Markus Flossmann to take a look behind the scenes and understand what’s behind the brand’s guiding principle.
Money talks. Full bike builds now frequently nudge over € 10,000 and frame only prices give little change from € 3,000. When a new player steps onto the scene boasting with the buzzwords of performance, radical geometry but also affordability, well, it’s hard not to take a closer look. The new Privateer 161 enduro bike is a polite “Fu@k you” to the industry’s ever sky-rocketing prices, but can it offer premium performance too? We test one to find out.
The MDE DAMPER stands out with its distinctive character and authentic Italian charm. With a generous amount of travel and promising geometry, the DAMPER encourages you to get rowdy. Of course, we didn’t miss the chance to put it through its paces on some sunny trails in Italy.
Do you want to conquer new peaks, enjoy the sweet sound of nature in total silence and hit natural singletrails? The high-end, superlight version of Canyon’s touring rocket, the Neuron CF SLX 9.0 LTD is designed to hit the sweet spot between comfort and riding fun. But is it the ultimate all-rounder?
With a slogan inspired by a Gang Starr classic and a logo that goes against all the rules of marketing design, you might be forgiven for dismissing this Sheffield based company as doomed to fail. However, the two-man business that is Banana Industries is proving the doubters wrong and using its brand to bring its eco-conscious ethos to the mountain biking world.
Spain’s Sierra Nevada isn’t just a treat to ride, this stunning landscape is also a haven of tranquillity. With the expert hospitality of Pure Mountains, everything falls into place for us to escape the daily grind and have five amazing days of riding, discovering the intricate bonds between Serrano ham, mountain biking and beer.
Excited? These (and many more) stories are just a few clicks away. If you have already installed our free app, simply open it and download the latest issue right now. If not, first download the free app from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets) and then download the latest issue in the app. All you’ve got to do then is sit back and enjoy (ideally with a cold beer or a delicious cup of coffee)! #qualitytime
In addition to all our previous issues, you will always find the most exciting new articles from our website in the app. For example the test of the brand new Pivot Switchblade – one more reason to get the free app.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
